Five-month export slump hits Vietnam’s fresh produce sector

Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable sector is facing difficulties, with export earnings in May totaling $496 million — down 35.5% from the same period last year. This marks the fifth straight month of decline, raising concerns across the fresh produce supply chain.

According to local media outlets, total export revenue for the first five months of 2025 is estimated at $2.1 billion, showing a 17.8% decrease year-on-year. The downturn comes at a time when Vietnam is in peak harvest, putting added pressure on prices across key fruit categories.

In the Southwest region, farmers are seeing historically low prices: mangoes are being sold for as little as $0.04/kg, jackfruit and water apples range between $0.08 and $0.20/kg, and even durian, once a top earner, has dropped to $1.20–$1.60/kg.

Durian exports, in particular, have taken a hit — with revenues falling 74% to $130 million in the first four months of the year. Sluggish demand and price drops have created a ripple effect across the entire fruit export chain.

Key markets have also slowed. Exports to China, Vietnam’s largest buyer, fell 33%, while South Korea and Thailand saw smaller dips of 5% and 3%, respectively. These trends are forcing growers and exporters to reassess strategies as oversupply and soft demand weigh on prices and profits.

source: en.sggp.org.vn

photo: channelnewsasia.com